Stichting Gered Gereedschap is a nation-wide organisation of volunteers
which collects and refurbishes used tools for the benefit of small scale
projects in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. The head office in Amsterdam
co-ordinates ± 200 collecting points where companies, organisations and
individuals can donate their tools. In accordance with standard quality
requirements these tools are revised, cleaned and repaired in over 30
independent workshops. Stichting Gered Gereedschap is a registered
non-governmental organisation with neither political nor religious
affiliations. The work of the foundation is financed through
fundraising, sponsorships and private donations.

Gered Gereedschap supports small scale local initiatives that will
lead to economic independence. Considered therefore are applications
submitted by locally organised projects which focus on income generation,
self sufficiency and/or employment creation. Extra preference is given
to projects which pay attention to the position of women, marginalised
groups, ecological awareness and/or environmental protection. The
foundation only supports projects in which the target group is involved
in both the preparation/decision making and execution of the project. All
requesting organisations have to be able to provide sufficient information
about their aims and working methods. Receiving organisations also have
to report back about the development of the project and the use of the
tools after a given donation.

In principal Gered Gereedschap will not support:

private persons/individuals

organisations that already receive extensive support from other
(international) funds

large scale and already long established organisations

organisations in Eastern-Europe

governmental organisations and state institutions that are largely
subsidised by local authorities

Gered Gereedschap mainly delivers handtools and small electrical equipment.
The amount of tools that can be provided depends on available stock and has
a minimum of one cubic meter (1m3). In general Gered Gereedschap can deliver
tools for the following vocational trades:

carpentry and joinery

metalwork

automechanics

building and construction

electrical engineering

sewing

The foundation never gives financial support and does not deliver specialised
heavy machinery, agricultural implements, building materials, household
appliances or office equipment.

Besides the delivery of tools the foundation also takes care of the
transportation to the nearest harbour in the country of destination
(for landlocked countries overland transport will, if possible, also
be arranged). The requesting organisation does not have to pay for
either tools or transport but is however responsible for the costs of
clearing the tools and the costs for transport from harbour to final
destination.

In India The Foundation supported small scale industries in Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu.